Refining or purification of benzol, petrol, and like light spirits



T. SCOTT 1,999,112

AND LIKE LIGHT SPIRITS Filed Jan. 4, 1934 Aprfl 23, 1935.

REFINING OR PURIFICATION OF BENZOL,

PETROL,

Patented Apr. 23, 1935 REFENING OR PURIFIGAIION' OF BENZOL, PETROL, AND LIKE LIGHT SPIRITS Thornton Scott, Oakleigh, Ghelfcrd, England, as

signor to Refiners Limited, Manchester, England, a British company Application January 4, 1934, Serial No. 705,300 In Great Britain December 3, 1932 7 Claims.

This invention relates to the purification of benzol, petrol and like light spirits (hereinafter termed benzol) by the use of ferric sulphate with or without fullers earth as the refining medium.

The object of my present invention is to provide an improved method of using the refining medium which economizes in the latter and avoids the necessity for a washing operation with the refining medium and a subsequent filtration to remove the exhausted refining medium and the precipitated impurities.

In accordance with my invention, the benzol, which is free or has been freed from bases, and which is at a temperature of from 40 to 80 0., is caused to percolate through a bed consisting of ferric sulphate (with or without fullers earth) and coke or other inert material which acts to maintain the refining medium in a sufficiently open condition to allow of the flow of the benzol therethrough. If desired the ferric sulphate may be deposited on the coke by evaporating a solution of ferric sulphate containing the coke.

The filter bed should be so proportioned that every portion of the benzol is in contact with the refining medium for at least 30 seconds. The refining medium when it is exhausted is replaced.

If desired or necessary in any case the benzol can be forced through the filter bed under pressure.

After the refining operation, the benzol is neutralized. This may be accomplished in a continuous manner with a liquid or solid neutralizer. When a solid neutralizer is employed, this may be in a coke or like filter bed. Thereafter the benzol is distilled, the impurities remaining in the still.

Referring to the accompanying sheet of explanatory drawing:-

Figure l is a diagram of a plant for the continuous refining of benzol in accordance with my improved process.

Figure 2 is a sectional view of a form of apparatus in which the refining treatment is effected.

In Figure l, the benzol which has been or is free from bases is contained in the tank a and pumped by the pump 2) to the overhead tank c from which it falls through a heater d to the refiner c. From the latter it passes through a cooler f to a neutralizer g and then to a still. it is an overflow pipe for c, and i a branch permitting treated benzol to be returned to c for further treatment in e if required. 9' is a by-pass pipe to cut out the tank 0 if desired. Suitable (Cl. MES-44) control valves are provided where required and as indicated in the diagram.

The refining tank c is shown in detail in Figure 2 in a preferred form. The ferricsulphate with or without fullers earth is contained within the removable inner vessel is having a projecting flange m at its upper end by which it rests upon an inner flange 11. upon the vessel e. Lifting tackle can be secured toplates 0 projecting from the top of the vessel It, to enable the latter to be lifted out of the vessel e when the cover e of the latter has been removed. A perforated cover plate 3) rests upon the top of the vessel is and has apertures therein to pass over the plates 0. The base q of the vessel 70 may be perforated as shown. It serves to support a removable base T which is perforated and has a flannel or like filter cloth 5 thereon to prevent the passage of solids therethrough. The removable base 1* has eye pieces t thereon to enable it to be withdrawn from the inside of the vessel is after refining medium has become exhausted and requires replacing.

The benzol enters at u and leaves at v. w is a drain connection which has a suitable valve thereon. a is an inlet branch for compressed air which is used to expel all liquid from the apparatus prior to removing the spent refining medium upon the base r from the apparatus by raising the said base with if desired also the vessel It from the vessel a.

With my improved process in which the refining medium is used in the form of a filter bed and the operation is continuous, I find that I obtain very efiicient results with a considerable economy in the quantity of refining medium used.

What I claim is:

l. The process of refining or purifying benzol, petrol and like light spirits in which the latter which at the time of treatment are free from bases are heated to a temperature of from 40 to 80 C. and caused to percolate through a bed consisting of ferric sulphate and inert material which acts to retain the ferric sulphate in a sufficiently open condition to allow of the flow of the benzol or the like therethrough, the depth and surface area of the bed being proportioned to maintain every portion of the benzol or the like in contact with ferric sulphate for at least 3. The process claimed in claim 1 wherein :3;

which at the time of treatment are free'from bases are heated to a temperature of from 40 to 80 C. and caused to percolate through a bed consisting of coke and to an intimate mixture of ferric sulphate and an absorbent earth coated upon the surface of the said coke, the depth and surface area of the bed being proportioned to maintain every portion of the benzol or the like in contact with ferric sulphate for at least 30 seconds.

THORNTON SCOTT. 

